Carrier for bottles and the like



Aug. 2, 1960 R. N. BosrocK CARRIER EGR BOTTLES AND THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 24, 1954 All@ 2, 1960 R. N. BosTocK 2,947,462

CARRIER FOR BOTTLES AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 24, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 `CARRIER FOR BOTTLES AND THE LIKE Raymond N. Bostock, Upper Montclair, NJ., assignor to P. Ballantine & Sons, Newark, NJ., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Feb. 24, 1954, Ser. No. 412,197

9 Claims. (Cl. 229-23) Iltis invention relates to carriers of the type used for transporting a plurality of containers, such as glass bottles and the like.

Open top cartons, that is cartons having bottom, side and end walls, but not a top wall or cover, have been used for a number of years yfor the purpose of storing and transporting various items of merchandise, including glass bottles containing beer, soft drinks or other liquids. Such cartons are usually provided with partitions that divide their interiors into compartments for receiving individual bottles to prevent the bottles from coming into direct contact with each other, thereby minirnizing the possibility of breakage of the bottles in the course of handling.

Due to the weight of the merchandise and the rough handling to which loaded cartons are frequently subjected, present-day open cartons are generally constructed of heavy libreboard. It is often necessary, in order to provide adequate strength and rigidity, to reenforce the cartons in various ways. As a consequence, such cartons are quite expensive.

Certain present-day cartons of the character indicated above are designed and capable of being reused a number of times, under normal conditions. These cartons, as well as other cartons now available, often become damaged or marred by the weather and by scuiling, and, as a consequence, are either weakened structurally or rendered so unsightly that they must be discarded after being used only a relatively few times.

The carrier of this invention overcomes many of the ditliculties experienced heretofore. While it employs an outer container that is in some respects similar to convention open cartons, such container is expendable. That is, it is inexpensive and may be discarded without appreciable loss if it becomes damaged or unsightly after being used only a few times.

Requisite strength and rigidity are imparted to the carrier of this invention by a liner or sling that is removably disposed within the outer container in a manner that will be described, in detail, further along herein. The sling is preferably made of a relatively strong, waterproofed breboard and is provided with a reinforcing rod that is in the form of an open frame. The sling has its parts so constructed and arranged that it may be used by itself to carry a full load of bottles, if necessary. Also, the sling is collapsible and is compact when in collapsed condition, thereby facilitating handling and shipping of the same.

A preferred and recommended carrier constructed in accordance with this invention also includes a partition unit that is removably positioned within both the outer container and the sling. 'Ihe partition unit comprises a plurality of upstanding and interlocking dividers that define a plurality of bottle-receiving compartments.

The outer container, sling and partition unit are made from blanks of suitable sheet material that may be readily cut, creased, folded and bent, as required. The outer container may be made of a relatively lightweight, inexnited States Patent 7,452 Patented Aug. 2, 196i) rice pensive corrugated cardboard. The sling is preferably made of a heavy duty iibreboard, while the partition unit is made of a suitable grade and weight of iibreboard. Fibreboard is recommended for the sling and partition unit, to provide necessary strength and to permit repeated reuse of the same, with the initial or subsequent outer containers. Also, the sling and partition unit are treated to make them waterproof, thereby protecting them from moisture and prolonging their useful life. It will be understood that the term paperboard, as used hereinafter and in the appended claims, is intended to cover various sheet materials that may be used in the manufacture of the carrier of this invention, whether corrugated cardboard, breboard or other appropriate material.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a carrier for bottles or the like having improved features of construction.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bottle carrier having a relatively inexpensive disposable outer container.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bottle carrier having a relatively inexpensive outer container, which may be discarded when scuifed or otherwise rendered unsightly, and a relatively strong reinforced inner container, which may be reused a number of times with successive outer containers.

A further object of the invention is to provide `a carrier of the character indicated, having its parts so constructed and arranged as to permit its being readily assembled or dismantled.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a bottle carrier that is simple and sturdy in construction, that is reasonable in cost, and that is capable of performing its intended functions in a satisfactory manner.

vThe enumerated objects, as well as additional objects, together with the advantages of the invention, will be readily understood by persons skilled in the art, upon reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that respectively describe and illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is an isometric view of a complete carrier constructed in accordance with this invention;

' Fig, 2 is an isometric view of the separate units of the carrier shown in Fig. l, in the course of assembling the same;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. l and illustrating certain of the parts of the carrier in another relative position;

Fig. 4 is an isometric view of two units of the carrier shown in Fig. l, prior to assembly; and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged `fragmentary View, taken along line S-S of Fig. 1.

iReferring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several Views, a preferred and recommended form of carrier embodying the invention is generally indicated by numeral 10 in Figs. l and 3 and consists of three nested units, namely, a first unit or outer container C, a second unit o r sling S and a third unit or honeycomb partition P.

yFirst unit or container C, best shown in Fig. 4, is made from a blank of a single piece of paperboard, such as a relatively lightweight, inexpensive corrugated cardboard. The blank is cut, creased and folded, and its parts are united to obtain a bottom wall 11, a pair of parallel side walls 12 and a pair of parallel end walls 13. One of the walls has an end ilap 14 which bears against the inner surface of one of the end walls and is secured thereto by staples or the like 15, whereby the side and end walls are maintained in the illustrated upright positions.

Each side wall 12 has an extension 16 which is bent and .folded along crease lines 17 and 18 to obtain a narrow crimp 19 and a iiap 20. As shown in Fig. 1, each crimp 19 projects inwardly and is generally parallel to bottom wall 1l, while each flap 2() projects downwardly and is generally parallel. to the corresponding side. wall: when the, carrier is. completely assembled.

,Each end wall: 13 is cut toA form a handopening 21 and a tab. 22. Each. side wall. also has an extension 23tthat is creased along lines 24; and 25; to. define" a corresponding narrow crimp Zan'd a ap27 The pants of extensions 23. are arranged; similarly1 to those of ex. tensions: 16 in the assembled .carrier (.Fig. l). lThat is, eachJ narrow crimp laprojects inwardly and is-. generally parallel to the. bottom wall, whileV each ilap` 27" projectsdownwardly; andiis generally' parallel' to the oorlrespondf. ingend Walla f Extensions 16 ,and 23. areY respectively narrowerr than sidewalls lf2; and endwalls 13. to.4 permit proper dis-` position of-:the .parts inthe completed canton. Also, the

jnncturesof theeijitensvions; and'sde and endv walls'. de.

tine .corner openings or notches 28. Formed-in. llapsv 271 are hand. openings 29wthat align with. hand'I openings Reference is next had to Figs. 4 and 5 for an understanding ofthe constructionot the second; unit or sling S; Ehetsling is. preterablyrnade in. part from a single rectangular piecel otrelativelyy heavy paperboard, such an appropriate grade and. weight of iibreboard that istreatedto render the same waterproof. The; piece ofv tbreboard is creased and folded; along spaccda parallel lines, 3,0; to obtain, a bottom Wal-l: 3.1 and, a. pair of end Wallst32i.; 1 l

Each. of thesling end walls is cntto form a.: handy opening 33. Integral with each end Wall is. an extension Whisk..is,.bent inwardly, to provide anarrow arcuate top strip, as indicatedat34; in Fig. 5 and` a ap 35, the latterbea-I'lilg-Y against and beingsecured tothe corresponding. end wallxbyi staples, or the like 3 6. .Flaps l5iterirlinate-V `in; tongues; 37j. Arcuate top strips 34 and. the immediatelyy adjaentportions of, end walls.3-2 and flaps 35, d e-l ineya I Odrreceivingpocket 38= (Eig. 5). Y

.Tlhesling lalso includesaplanar. generally rectangular openirame t 4t!,that; isf` triade from a continuous; rodz which isbentf to; providea; pair; .of .parallela sides 41 andi` a pair of parallel ends 42. The opening dened by theiramecorresponds ygenerally `in size -and configuration to .bot-A tomwa-ll. 3L The juncturesof sidese4l' and ends 42' are ben-t .to provide outwardly` projecting'frarne. cornenpor-- tions 43Vwhich,regristervwith notches-.28m the completed carrier. -Framesides 411 extend throughpocketsS-andform pivot or hinge connections therewith. apparent: from an examination. of Fig. 4' that .theslin-g rnay. bereadily collapsed into-a compact `nuit for purposes, of, s torageor shipment: .and'may subsequentlyhe easily land quickly .opened;to the illustrated condition.

, The illustratedforrnoffthe invention-.includesathird unit or partition C which consists of a first plural-ityl of upstandingparallel.dividers 4 4 and a second .plurality-.of upStanding parallel dividers 45; that Iare normalv to di; viders 44; All dividers. are made of a suitable paperbQarrl.` Dividers; 44; are slotted upward- 1y from their b Qt'tQm edges, whiledividers 45fare slotted downwardly from-,their topedges, whereby to permit of:v interlocking.engagementftherebetween, yas disclosed in greater deY taihin VerhoyenPatent- 1,97530, dated-October, 1934, 19;. which. `reference, maybe had. TheY dividers are so constructed` and: 'arrangedY as to dene v a plurality offequal size bottle-receiving,compartments 46. As is-shown-,in ligsr4 1Y `and 3, partition P dividesv the interiorA oflfthe; carrier-into twelve .suchcompartments` v Inasse'rr-1lbling tlrepcarrier, opter container `C isplacedy on a?, support, such as.fatableorrcounten Iwith, 'itsbot. tout; Wall; resting thereon. and.' its ilaps y20 :and-'27 f p;rojectinglupwardly andv outwardly, 'as shownin Fig. 4f.v

The sling S is then inserted in therouter cqntaine'r`so- It will be 4' that its bottoni wall 31 bears against container bottom wall 11 and its. end, walls 32 bear against container end walls 13 (Fig. 2). Also, .frame portion 43 will lnev in registry with notches 28 of the outer container. The flaps 20 and 27 are now swung downwardly over the top edges o-f the sling so that aps 20 lie along container side walls 1,2 and ilaps 27 Ylie along sling side walls 32. r[longues 37 are bent inwardly to project through hand openingsi zw, whereupenitiabs 22. :are bent; so.; as to eX- 1o tend through aligned 1131151. olzeninss 3 3 rmi 2 9 es 511W idarr'angement of @lignee nano2 openings, tongues `and tabs' provides aconvenient and comfortable rneans lfor gripping the carrier .and for properly distrihftingnthet-loadtm the. outer container and thesl-ing. n ,I 1

The lnal stepI -in assembling the carrier consists of inserting partition P in the nested outer container and sling. The partition, when in position, rests on the bottom :wall-oft the sling, and its ends bear againstnaps Q1-lanci sthetebr maintaining; thesetlars innnoperposition. -It will be observed .from `an examination of Fig. 1: .drenthe naatitienteraainates above the, lower ends of ilennwandglfibuthelmnthealisnerlhand openings.` As azmaseqneneethg maritiem.I does not interfere with the handlingnfiaileaded .Eronrthe t. r egoins, is lbelieved-- that, the .construetioni nbieetsrandjedvantagssdmy present inventionwill; lb e.-readily mmnrsh dedtbyf persons; skilled tn the art. derstoodg, however, that various el. `f ol'tllt; above, may beVV made; rfrmngtllescope of; the invention, it-

e, interpreted as one inthe drawings e only. and; not in a limiting; sense.

Y asheetiof papenboard .and comv -Wall'Lgafpair ofgspaced parallelf side walls; and a pair of spaced parallel end wallsreachy side and end;

the rstr unit.. harina; 21111- extensionY comprising; a

unit rernvahly.disnpsediwithinthe first unitv and? QQ-lllsing; bnttgnr'wellrand painof; spaced end; walls;v thel? razendendrwallsrot-saidseeondnnit beingmade 45 fis) Sbrrnizrzf paprhnardrsnbstantially stronger,V more;

dtlmble; enamore waterresistant than; the paperboard from which the irstnnitisn` 1 ade, thezbottom-.wall-.o said? SQOIll limit beim; adiagentf. and-:generally: parallel to, the bgttongtwall ofsaidlrstunit-:and the endfwalls: ot-saidz segeglnunt*beingsdsttledrbetweenA arrV end wall` and1ap- Qfxlsdnit-f. whereby.' said "units.-l lit snugly together, Said @n unitsalsofincludinga:framefcomprising a rodi de'ningyan opening corresponding; generally; in size andl configuration to the ybottom wall oirthel second unit 'andI inluding; a pairs offA4 spacegir-parallele side portions: and a pain Qfrspacjedi parallel'endaportions, eaelr endl portion formingga-l hinge corniection.I with the upperportion of any @I ldwallof the secondi 2l; Atcarrier in' accordance with claim. 1= wherein each` endo'wallcanglendfwall apLofFtlie first unit'y hasl a hand openingiaformed'therein andleaohfend wall of! thesecond unitghas: ahandf: opening forrnedtherein; each hand" o pe'ning the-second unitf lie/ing aligned" with' the cor' respondingghandopeningsinthe adjacent endlwall andz endnvallgflap ofther'stfunit.-

,p ais ondjnnit'lremovably,disposed, nit-'and' lludinjg fabottom .vt/al1.' and a, 11d Walls, he. lSt" mentioned Bottom. andi end walls being made from a sheet of relatively expensive paperboard substantially stronger than the paperboard used for said first unit, whereby said second unit provides a major portion of the strength of said carrier, each end wall of said second unit being disposed between an end wall and iiap of said first unit, being adjacent and generally parallel to corresponding walls of the first unit whereby said second unit fits snugly within said first unit, each end wall of the second unit having a hand opening formed therein and aligned with the hand openings in the adjacent end wall and fiap of the rst unit, said second unit also including a frame comprising a rod defining an opening corresponding generally in size and configuration to the bottom wall of the second unit and including a pair of spaced parallel side portions and a pair of spaced parallel end portions, each end portion forming a hinge connection with the upper portion of an end wall of the second unit.

4. In a carrier for bottles and the like, a hollow first unit made from a sheet of relatively inexpensive paperboard and comprising a bottom Wall, a pair of spaced parallel side walls and a pair of spaced parallel end walls, each end wall having an extension comprising a fiap which is folded inwardly and downwardly, each end wall and each end wall extension having a hand opening formed therein, and a second unit removably disposed within the first unit and including a bottom wall and a pair of spaced end walls, the last mentioned bottom and end Walls being made from a sheet of relatively expensive paperboard stronger than the paperboard used for said first unit and being adjacent and generally parallel to corresponding walls-of the first unit, each end wall of the second unit being disposed between an end wall and iiap of said first unit and having a hand opening formed therein and aligned with the hand opening in the adjacent end wall and flap of the first unit, each end wall of said second unit having an extension comprising a fiap which is folded inwardly and downwardly, each last mentioned fiap terminating in a tongue which extends through the hand opening of the adjacent flap of the first unit, said second unit also including a frame comprising a rod defining an opening corresponding generally in size and configuration to the bottom wall of the second unit and including a pair of spaced parallel side portions and a pair of spaced parallel end portions, each end portion forming a hinge connection with the upper portion of an end wall of the second uni-t.

5. A carrier in accordance with claim 4, wherein each end wall of the first unit includes an integral tab that is hinged to the portion thereof which defines the upper edge of its hand opening, each tab extending through the hand openings of the adjacent end wall of the second unit and the corresponding fiap.

6. In a carrier for bottles and the like, a hollow first unit made from a sheet of relatively inexpensive paperboard and comprising a bottom wall, a pair of spaced parallel side walls and a pair of spaced parallel end walls, each side and end wall of the first unit having an extension comprising a fiap which is folded inwardly and downwardly, the junctures of said side and end walls and extensions of said first unit defining a notch in each upper corner of said first unit, each end wall having a hand opening formed therein, and a second unit removably disposed within the first unit and including a bottom wall and a pair of spaced end walls, the last mentioned bottom and end walls being made from a sheet of relatively expensive paperboard stronger than the paperboard used for said first unit and being adjacent and generally parallel to corresponding walls of the first unit, each end wall of the second unit having a hand opening formed therein and aligned with the hand opening in the adjacent end wall of the first unit, said second unit also including a frame comprising a rod defining an opening corresponding generally in size and configuration to the bottom wall of the second unit and including a pair of spaced parallel side portions and a pair of spaced parallel end portions, each end portion forming a hinge connection with the upper portion of an end wall of the second unit, said rod including outwardly projecting bent portions formed at the junctures of its side and end portions, each bent portion of the rod registering with a corresponding notch in said first unit. t

7. In a carrier for bottles and the like, a hollow first unit made from a sheet of relatively inexpensive paperboard and comprising `a bottom wall, a pair of spaced parallel side walls and a pair of spaced parallel end walls, each end wall having a hand opening formed therein, a second unit removably disposed within the first unit and including a bottom wall and a pair of spaced end walls, the last mentioned bottom and end walls being made from a sheet of relatively expensive paperboard stronger than the paperboard used for said first unit and being adjacent and generally parallel to corresponding walls of the first unit, each end wall of the second unit having a hand opening formed therein and aligned with the hand opening in the adjacent end wall of the first unit, said second unit also including a frame comprising a rod defining an opening corresponding generally in size and configuration to the bottom wall of the second unit and including a pair of spaced parallel side portions and a pair of spaced parallel end portions, each end portion forming a hinge connection with the upper portion of an end wall of the second unit, said second unit providing the requisite structural strength for said carrier, and a third unit removably disposed in the second unit and comprising a plurality of interengaging upstanding dividers that define a plurality of bottle-receiving compartments, each end wall of the first unit having an extension comprising a fiap which is folded inwardly and downwardly and having a hand opening aligned with the hand openings of corresponding end walls of both units, each end wall of the second unit being disposed between an end wall and fiap of the first unit, each end wall of the first unit including an integral tab that is hinged to the portion thereof which defines the upper edge of its hand opening, each tab extending through the hand openings of the adjacent end wall of the second unit and the corresponding ap, each end wall of the second unit having an extension comprising a liap which is folded inwardly and downwardly, each last mentioned flap terminating in a tongue which extends through the hand opening of the adjacent flap of the first unit, said third unit bearing -at opposite ends against the flaps of the first unit and terminating below the hand openings.

8. In a carrier for bottles and the like, a hollow first unit made from a sheet of relatively inexpensive paperboard and comprising a bottom wall, a pair of spaced parallel side walls and a pair of spaced parallel end walls, each end wall of said rst unit having an extension comprising a flap which is folded inwardly and downwardly, each end wall and flap having a hand opening formed therein, and a second unit removably disposed within the first unit and including a bottom wall and a pair of spaced end walls, the last mentioned bottom and end walls being made from a sheet of relatively expensive paperboard substantially stronger, more durable and more water resistant than the paperboard used for said first unit and being adjacent and generally parallel to corresponding walls of the first unit, each end wall of the second unit having an extension comprising a flap which is folded inwardly and downwardly, the end walls and fiaps of said second unit being disposed between the corresponding end walls and iiaps of said first unit, each end wall of said second unit having a hand opening formed therein and aligned with the hand openings in the adjacent end wall and iiap of the first unit, said second unit also including a frame comprising a rod defining an opening corresponding generally in size and configuration to the bottom Wall of the second unit and including a pair of,

f 7 spaced parallel side portions and aipair of spaced parallel end' portion`s each end portion forming a hingefconnecf tion with the upper portion. of an yend `Wall' of the second uinit.

9. In'V a' ear'rieifor bottles and the like,l a hollow rst unit made from a sheet'of relatively inexpensive paperboard and;comprisingI a bottom walL, a pair of spaced parallel side walls-anda pair of spaced parallel end Walls, each sideV andv endy wall of said rst unit having an extension comprising a flap which is folded inwardly and downwardly; the junetures of said sidv and end Wal'ls and.

within the first unit and inclldmg a bottom WalI and a 15.

secondunit having a hand' opening formed therein. and

aligned with the hand opening in the adjacenty end wall of they first unit,` said' second unit also including Va frame Reerences'Cited in the file-ofthis patent ST PATENTSl 1,952,492 

